CLAIMS OVERLOOKED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26478, 4 June 1947, Page 6

CLAIMS OVERLOOKED

GREEN ISLAND BOROUGH NEW DEVELOPMENT SCHEME Strong opposition to the proposed new housing scheme at Wingatui was expressed by Cr W. Dickinson at the monthly meeting of the Green Island Borough Council held last night. *.* There is splendid building ground for both housing and industrial purposes in Green Island,” Cr Dickinson declared, “and there is no need to go beyond the Chain Hills for any such scheme as is planned.” Cr Dickinson added there was no fear of floods in Green Island, but the Taieri Plain was regularly and heavily inundated. The question of the expense of the development scheme at Wingatui also had to be considered. As chairman of the Finance Committee, Cr Dickinson moved that the committee’s report, which included the following recommendation, be adopted: “ That the council expresses its strong opposition to the proposed new housing. scheme at Wingatui and that the town clerk write to the Commissioner of Lands-advising him of the council’s opposition.” Cr L. Burgess supported Cr Dickinson, stating that the new highway would isolate Green Island. He suggested that the local M.P. should visit the borough and make recommendations to-the Housing Department concerning the suitability of land in Green Island for building. Broader Viewpoint Necessary

Cr T. McAhan said it would be wiser to take the broader view that the scheme was for the advancement of Otago. Green Island would indirectly benefit through the general prosperity of the province. “ The council in denouncing the scheme,” Cr McAhan stated “would be like ‘a lone voice crying in, the wilderness.’ ” The Mayor. Mr J. Boomer, said that it was possible that all land in the borough might be developed by the time the proposed scheme was implemented. The council’s work now should be to give details to the various bodies concerned, of the available land. There was a large acreage at Burnside and Green Island, close to the railway, which brought the city within 12 minutes’ travel.

Clause Amended “ Fine farm lands capable of producing 90 bushels to the acre will become backyards and streets if the scheme is implemented.” declared Cr F. Gray. He suggested that the clause in the Finance Committee’s report should be amended. That the council expressed strong regret that the claims of Green Island had been overlooked in the proposed major development scheme recommended by the Otago Regional Planning Council, was the new clause agreed upon and the report of the Finance Committee was adopted.